Pressing machine-turret type



Aug. 11, 1936. G. w. JOHNSON 2,050,612

PRESSING MACHINETURRET TYPE Filed June 10, 1955 INVENTOR.

GEORGE W. JOHNSON ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 11, 1 936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRESSINC; MACHINETURRET TYPE Application June 10, 1935, Serial No. 25,787

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a pressing machine of the general type in which a plurality of article carriers are employed for alternately carrying work pieces into and out of pressing posi- 5 tion between a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members which are closed and opened for an ironing or pressing operation upon an article in pressing position between them.

Many of the features of my present invention may be used in machines for general laundry and garment work but I have illustrated herewith an embodiment of my invention particularly useful in the production of starchless collars and similar articles. In the production of articles by this process, layers of fabric are cemented together by means of a suitable cellulose derivative which when suitably placed in the fabric layers and softened with a solvent is subjected to a combined heating and pressing operation which causes the cellulose derivative to firmly cement the fabric layers together. To this end my improved pressing machine provides a pair of relatively movable coacting pressing members, each of which may be heated, and a pair of wire gauze trays for moving the articles to be treated into and out of position between the pressing members, together with suitable operating mechanism for moving the trays and the pressing members.

My invention provides a pair of article carriers rotatably mounted on a shaft for movement alternately into and out of registration with a pair of coacting pressing members, a cylinder and piston motor having a driving connection 35 with the shaft for rotating the same during a working stroke of the motor, the connection being arranged to permit an. idle return stroke of the motor. My invention provides control means for automatically actuating the pressing members in press closing direction at the end of a working stroke of the motor, that is to say, when an article has been placed in pressing position between the pressing members. Control means is also provided whereby the pressin.

members remain in pressing engagement durically so that all that is required of the operator is to remove processed articles from the article carriers and to place unpressed articles in position thereon.

My invention also contemplates means for timing the duration of the pressing operation on each article and the movement of the pressing members in press opening direction upon the completion of the operation of the timing means.

Other objects and advantages will appear from 10 the accompanying description and drawing and the essential features will be summarized in the claims. 1

In the drawing, Fig. 1 shows an elevation of a pressing machine partly in section, showing 15 the control mechanism in diagrammatic form; while Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the article carriers in the position of Fig. 1.

The drawing illustrates a pressing machine having a frame Hl upon which is mounted a pressing member II and a pair of article earriers l2 and I3 alternately movable into and out of registration with the member ll. Means is provided for pressing the carrier and article in registration against the member II for an iron- 25 ing and pressing operation. This means preferably comprises a platen I4 vertically movable by a motor l5 and normally biased by the action of gravity on the parts into its lowermost or press-open position. The members II and M are both preferably heated where it is desired to process starchiess collars as outlined above. The means shown comprises the formation of the members II and I4 with hollow compartments therein with means Ha and Ma for the introduction of a heating fluid and means Nb and Mo for the withdrawal of heating fluid or condensate as necessary. The member M is suitably mounted for vertical movement relative to the frame. For instance, pins I connected 40 with the platen l4 pass through suitable bores in members Ilia, rigid with the frame.

The motor 15 has a piston l5a and a piston rod I5b which is adapted to engage and lift the platen l4 so as to cause pressing engagement with the pressing member ll. Suitable means is provided for controlling the flow and exhaust of motive fluid beneath piston l5a. This comprises a combined flow and exhaust conduit l6 which may be connected with a source of motive fluid IT or with the exhaust l8 by valve means in casing l9. The valve means shown comprises a piston member 19a having a grooved port l9b therein reciprocable in the valve casing to connect conduit l 6 with conduit 5 II as shown in Fi 1, or to connect conduit IS with conduit I1 by movement of the member I So to the right as viewed in Fig. 1. Valve stems Nd and we actuate the member 19a as hereinafter more fully described.

Various forms of article carrying members are suitable for moving an article from open position to pressing position but for use in the starchless collar process I prefer a pair of trays such as shown at 12 and I3, each consisting of a single layer of wire gauze 20supported in a framework 2| to which the tray moving mechanism is connected.

The frame 2| is rigidly mounted upon a shaft 22 which is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 23 and 24 in the frame I0. Collars 25 and 26 pinned to shaft 22 hold the trays at the proper height. Motor 21 is provided for rotating shaft 22. This motor has a piston 21a and a piston rod 21b which actuates a rack 28 which engages a. gear 29 rotatably mounted on shaft 22. Rigid with gear 29, and as shown, forming part of the hub thereof, is a clutch jaw 30 which is adapted to engage a coacting clutch jaw 3| which has a splined connection with shaft 22. Rotation of the shaft 22 and the connected trays is in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 2. It follows that a working stroke of piston 21a toward the right will reverse the position of trays l2 and i3 and an idle return stroke of piston 21a is permitted as the teeth of the clutch jaws form a driving connection in one direction only. Means is provided for causing the return stroke of piston 21a, that is, the movement toward the left as viewed in Fig. 1, when fluid is exhausted from the left hand end of the cylinder of motor 21. The means shown comprises a tension spring 32, one end of which is flxed at 32a and the other end is carried on a portion 33a of a bracket 33 which is rigid with piston rod 21b and rack 28.

Motive fluid is supplied to motor 21 from source 34 and conduit 34b by means of valve casing 35 and a combined flow and exhaust conduit 36 which communicates with the cylinder of motor 21. Valve casing 35 houses a normally closed inlet valve 35a and a normally open exhaust valve 351) mounted on a common stem 35c, the valves being biased into their normal positions by a spring 35d. Valve stem 350 is so positioned that it is controlled by the movement of motor l5. In the form shown the stem lie is so placed as to be engaged by a portion of the platen H but my invention contemplates any other suitable arrangement of the parts.

Means is provided for controlling the valve means for motor l5 by the movement of motor 21. The control means shown comprises the arrangement of bracket 33 with its parts 33b and 330 in position to engage valve stems l9d and I respectively, when piston 21a, reaches the end of its working stroke and return stroke.

The parts indicated generally at 31 comprise a timing means whose operation will be presently described.

The operation of the parts thus far disclosed is as follows: Motive fluid being supplied at l1, the operator arranges articles on the tray l3, for instance the collars 38. Valve 34a controlling the flow of motive fluid from source 34 is then opened. Pressure fluid flows through conduit 34b, valve 35a (which is held open by platen H in its lowermost position), and conduit 36 to motor 21. Piston 21a makes a working stroke toward the right and rotates the carrier l3 counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 2 until the tray [3 comes to rest between the members II and I4. At this time bracket portion 33b engages valve stem l9rl and moves the valve member I90, until its port l9b establishes communication for a flow of pressure fluid from conduit l1 through conduit I6 to motor l5. Piston 15a thereupon rises, causing pressing engagement of the articles 38 between platen l4 and the pressing member ll. Sufficient play is provided to permit this pressing operation to take place. In the present instance the wire gauze 20 permits the slight movement necessary to engage the articles 38 between the pressing platens. As platen l4 rises, valve stem 35c moves upwardly urged by its spring 3511 so as to close valve 35a and to open valve 35b. This exhausts the fluid from motor 21, whereupon spring 32 causes the return stroke of piston 21a toward the left-hand end of its cylinder, that is, to return it to the position shown in Fig. 1. Upon completion of the return stroke of piston 21a, bracket portion 33c engages valve stem I90 and returns the valve member l9a to the position shown in Fig. 1, which shuts off the motive fluid for motor l5 and connects the motor with exhaust. Piston |5a and platen l4 thereupon descend under the influence of gravity. While this pressing operation is going on, the operator has replaced the processed articles on the exposed tray with other articles which are now ready for a pressing operation. As platen l4 descends it engages valve stem 35c and moves the valves in casing 35 to the position shown in Fig. 1 which re-establishes the fluid supply for motor 21 and another pressing operation takes place.

Means is provided for accurately timing each pressing operation and the timing means is arranged to be automatically started upon engagement of the pressing members and the timing means in turn controls the opening operation of the pressing members. The timing means indicated generally at 31 provides an adjustable dashpot control for the return stroke of piston 21a. The cylinder 31a houses a reciprocating piston 31b whose piston rod 310 is connected to the bracket 33. Through piston 31b are ports 31d which are controlled by a valve disk 31e which is freely movable on rod 310 between piston 31b and a limiting collar 31!. Conduit 39a provides communication between the opposite ends of cylinder 31a and fluid flow therethrough is controlled by a finely adjustable valve such as the needle valve 39.

The operation of this timing means is as follows: As piston 21a and bracket 33 move to the right on a working stroke, valve disk 31c uncovers the ports 31d so that the dashpot does not obstruct the working stroke of piston 21a. However, upon the return stroke of piston 21a toward the left, valve disk 31c closes the ports 31d so that the piston 31b can only return as rapidly as fluid can pass through the valve 39. This may be adjusted as desired so that the return stroke of piston 2111 may be controlled. Inasmuch as the pressing operation is going on during this time and is not completed until bracket portion 330 engages valve stem l9c, it will be apparent that the timing operation can be adjusted so that each article receives the same treatment.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, means for moving a work piece from open position to pressing position between said pressing members and for simultaneously moving another work piece from pressing position to open position, means for relatively moving said members to press a work piece between them, means for causing relative movement of said members out of pressing relation, means whereby said first named means automatically initiates operation of said second named means, means actuated by' said second named means when said press is closed for causing operation of said third named means, and means actuated by said third named means for operating said first named means.

2. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, means for moving a work piece from open position to pressing position between said pressing members and for simultaneously moving another work piece from pressing position to open position, means for relatively moving said members to press a work piece between them, timing means, means for causing relative movement of said members out of pressing relation, means whereby said first named means automatically initiates operation of said second named means, means actuated by said second named means for causing operation of said third named or timing means, means actuated by said timing means for causing operation of said fourth named means, and means actuated by said fourth named means for operating said first named means.

3. In a pressing machine, a stationary pressing member, a movable pressing member, means for moving a work piece from open position to pres..- ing position beneath said stationary member and for simultaneously moving another work piece from pressing position to open position, means for moving said movable member into pressing engagement with said stationary member. means for causing movement of said movable member out of pressing engagement, means whereby said first named means automatically initiates operation of said second named means, means actuated by said second named means when said press is closed for causing operation of said third named means, and means actuated by said third named means for operating said first named means.

4. In a pressing machine, a stationary pressing member, a movable pressing member, means for moving a work piece from open position to pressing position beneath said stationary member and for simultaneously moving another work piece from pressing position to open position, means for moving said movable member into pressing engagement with said stationary member, timing means, means for causing movement of said movable member out of pressing engagement, means actuated by said first named means for operating said second named means, means actuated by said second named means for initiating operation of said third named or timing means, means actuated by said timing means for causing operation of said fourth named means, and means actuated by said fourth named means for operating said first named means.

5. In a pressing machine, a pressing member, a pair of article carriers rotatably mounted on a shaft for movement alternately into and out of registration with said pressing member, a cylinder and piston motor having a driving connection with said shaft for rotating the same during a working stroke of said motor in one direction, said connection permitting an idle return stroke of said motor in the other direction, means for causing pressing engagement of said carrier and ariicle against saidpressing member when said c rrier is in registration, and means for actuating said motor.

6. In a pressing machine, a pressing member, 5

'a pair of article carriers rotatably mounted on a shaft for movement alternately into and out of registration with said pressing member, a cylinder and piston motor having a driving connection with said shaft for rotating the same during a working stroke of said motor in one direction, said connection permitting an idle return stroke of said motor in the other direction, means for causing pressing engagement of said carrier and article against said pressing member when said carrier is in registration for a pressing operation, and means actuated automatically at the end of a pressing operation for causing a shaft-rotating stroke of said motor.

'7. In a pressing machine, a pressing member, a pair of article carriersrotatably mounted on a shaft for movement alternately into and out of registration with said pressing member, a cylinder and piston motor having a driving connection with said shaft for rotating the same during a working stroke of said motor in one direction, said connection permitting an idle return stroke of said motor in the other direction, means for causing pressing engagement of said carrier and article against said pressing member when said carrier is in registration, and means for actuating said motor including means for causing the return stroke of said motor during a pressing operation of said pressing-engagemer producing means.

8. In a pressing machine, a pressing member, a pair of article carriers rotatably mounted on a shaft for movement alternately into and out of registration with said pressing member, a cylinder and piston motor having a driving connection with said shaft for rotating the same during a working stroke of said motor in one direction, said connection permitting an idle return stroke of said motor in the other direction, means for causing pressing engagement of said carrier and article against said pressing member when said carrier is in registration, means for actuating said motor, and control means for actuating said pressing-engagement-producing means at the end of a working stroke of said motor. 50

9. In a pressing machine, a pressing member, a pair of article carriers rotatably mounted on a shaft for movement alternately into and out of registration with said pressing member, a cylinder and piston motor having a driving connection with said shaft for rotating the same during a working stroke of said motor in one direction, said connection permitting an idle return stroke of said motor in the other direction, means for causing pressing engagement of said carrier and 60 article against said pressing member when said carrier is in registration for a pressing operation, means actuated by saidmotor at the end of aworking stroke for operating said pressing-engagement producing means in press-closing direction, and 65 means actuated by said motor at the end of a return stroke for operating said pressing-engagement-producing means in press-opening direction.

10. A pressing machine as in claim 9 with shaft for movement alternately into and out of registration with said pressing member, a cylinder and piston motor having a driving connection with said shaft for rotating the same during a working stroke of said motor in one direction, said connection permitting an idle return stroke of said motor in the other direction, means for causing pressing engagement of said carrier and article against said pressing member when said carrier is in registration, means for actuating said motor, timing means, control means for actuating said pressing-engagementproducing means and said timing means at the end of a working stroke of said motor, and means controlled by said timing means for causing movement of said pressing-engagement-producing means in press-opening direction.

12. In a pressing machine, a pressing member, a pair of article carriersrotatably mounted on a shaft for movement alternately into and out of registration with said pressing member, a cylinder and piston motor having a driving connection with said shaft for rotating the same during a working stroke of said motor in one direction, said connection permitting an idle return stroke of said motor in the other direction, a second cylinder and piston motor for causing movement of a registering carrier into and out of pressing engagement with said pressing member, means for actuating said second motor in press-closing direction upon completion of the working stroke of said first named motor, and means for actuating said second motor in pressopening direction upon completion of the return stroke of said first named motor.

13. In a pressing machine, a pressing head, a pressing bed vertically movable into and out of pressing engagement with said head and normally held by gravity out of engagement, a first fluid motor for raising said bed into engagement with said head for ironing an article in pressing position between said head and bed, means for moving an article from open position to pressing position and for simultaneously moving another article from pressing position to open position, a second fluid motor having a working stroke when supplied with motive fluid for actuating said means and having an idle return stroke, means for causing the return stroke of said second motor when motive fluid is exhausted therefrom, valve means for controlling the supply and exhaust of pressure fluid to each of said motors, means controlled by said second motor at the ends of its working and return strokes for actuating the valve means of said first motor into fluid supply and exhaust positions respectively, and means controlled by raising and lowering of said bed for actuating the valve means of said second motor into fluid exhaust and supply positions respectively.

14. A pressing machine as in claim 13, and including an adjustable dashpot for controlling the return stroke of said second motor.

15. In a pressing machine, coacting relatively movable pressing members, a first cylinder and piston motor for causing pressing engagement of said pressing members to press an article in pressing position between them, said motor having a press-closing stroke and a press-opening stroke, means for moving an article from open position to pressing position and for simultaneously moving another article from pressing position to open position, a second cylinder and piston motor for operating said means, said second motor having a working stroke and a return stroke, valve means for controlling a fluid supply for each motor, each valve means being movable into two positions for respectively causing the two strokes of the associated motor, and the parts being so constructed and arranged that each motor at substantially the end of each of its strokes reverses the position of the control valves for the other motor, and so arranged that the working stroke of said second motor follows the press-opening stroke of said first motor.

16. A pair of fluid actuated motors and automatic control means therefor comprising means actuated by a predetermined stroke of the first motor in one direction for actuating the second motor in one direction, means actuated by a stroke of said second motor in said one direction for actuating said first motor in another direction, means actuated by a stroke of said first motor in said other direction for actuating said second motor in another direction, and means actuated by a stroke of said second motor in said other direction for actuating said first motor again in said one direction.

17. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressure producing members, means for moving an article to be pressed into and out of position between said members, means for relatively moving said members to press an article placed between them, means for causing relative movement of said members in pressure releasing direction, means whereby said first named means initiates operation of said second namd means, and means actuated by said second named means for causing operation of said third named means.

18. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressure producing members,

means for moving an article to be pressed into a and out of position between said members, means for causing relative approach and separating movement of said members, and operative control connections for both of said means providing means whereby actuation of said first named means to place an article between said members causes actuation of said second named means in press-closing direction, actuation of said second named means to close the press causes pressopening action of said means, and actuation of said second named means to open the press causes actuation of said first named means to move said article out from between said members.

GEORGE W. JOHNSON. 

